Pre-Season Friendly
Brinsford Lane, Wolverhampton
Tuesday, 18th July 2023, 7.45pm
All Square On The Road
Ian Collins
Gresley Rovers travelled to Wolverhampton to take on Wolverhampton Casuals in another pre-season friendly which turned out to be a good work-out for both sides. However, the numerous changes, which is part of these games, disrupted the play of both sides. Rovers made a change to their stated starting line-up with Tyler Donaldson replacing Alby Lansdowne.
The first ten minutes was evenly balanced with both sides having their fair share of the possession, however, it was the home side who had the first chance when their no 8 forced Rovers’ keeper Lewis Fenney into a good save on 15 minutes.
Five minutes later Rovers took the lead. A through ball to Riley Davoile was then squared to team-mate James Tague who had the simple task of slotting the ball into the net.
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Casuals hit back almost immediately but were denied by Jayden Cotterill who cleared the ball over the crossbar with their no 9 waiting to pounce.
The play then swung to the other end with Rovers’ Zac Guinan going close after being played in by some good play and a defence splitting ball. A minute later, Rovers’ went close again with Guinan and Kane Lee both forcing saves out of the home keeper to deny them increasing their lead.
Just before the break Rovers made a change with Danny Murphy replacing Guinan.
The play was still going end to end in the second half with Casuals’ no 5 making a last ditch to stop Lee from getting his shot at goal. At the other end Fenney was busy preventing Causals’ no 10 from scoring with a header.
On 57 minutes Casuals were level. A through ball was chased by no 10 who then went around Fenney and despite a good attempt by Donaldson the ball found the back of the net.
More changes by Rovers came with Donaldson, Ste Hart, Lee and Bekir Halil replaced by Latrell Patterson, Kai Moore, Hayden Brown, and Dylan Hunniford.
Casuals took the lead on 70 minutes and more changes for Rovers just afterwards with Tyler Smith replacing Davoile.
Seven minutes after the home side went in front Rovers equalised from the penalty spot after Brown was brought down in the area. Moore converted with a well-placed shot.
Rovers replaced Tague with Jordan Edwards for the final minutes of the game before the referee drew to a close what had been an evenly balanced game with both sides having their fare share of possession and chances.
